Alabama looks ahead to 2013

Members of the national championship Alabama football team get off a plane in Tuscaloosa on Tuesday. (Erin Nelson | Halifax Media Group)

By CHASE GOODBREADHalifax Media Group

Published: Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at 10:36 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at 10:54 p.m.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The offensive and defensive lines will need retooling, and there are a few players who might soon declare for early NFL Draft entry.

But the centerpiece of the University of Alabama offense and two consecutive brilliant performances in BCS championship games, quarterback AJ McCarron, sees plenty to be excited about around him for 2013.

“Hopefully, we can get another one next year,” McCarron said. “It’s going to be a lot of hard work, but our team is always up for a challenge. Our coaches are always up for a challenge. There’s never any quit in this team, which I love.”

On the offensive line, McCarron is expected to be protected by only two returning starters — guard Anthony Steen and tackle Cyrus Kouandjio. Center Barrett Jones and guard Chance Warmack will enter the draft as seniors, and tackle D.J. Fluker is expected to do so as a junior and potential first-round draft choice. Tight end Michael Williams, an integral part of Alabama’s running game as a blocker, graduates as well.

Junior running back Eddie Lacy also will have a difficult decision to make regarding the NFL.

Every scholarship player returns at the wide receiver position, however, including 1,000-yard freshman Amari Cooper.

He and running back T.J. Yeldon figure to be the primary weapons around McCarron.

“I am going to keep working. I am only a freshman,” Cooper said. “I am going to try to win three or four (national championships). This season was good, but I expected it to be even more. There is so much more that I can do.”

Defensively, the Crimson Tide loses seniors Jesse Williams, Quinton Dial, Damion Square and Nico Johnson from its front seven, with Robert Lester and Dee Milliner — if he leaves early for the NFL draft — exiting the program as well.

Alabama coach Nick Saban said his first efforts to prepare for the 2013 season will begin today.

“A couple of days from now, we have players that might go out for the draft,” he said. “We have to help them make good decisions about what their future is.

“We have other players that need to develop that will have different roles on our team next year.”

<p>FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The offensive and defensive lines will need retooling, and there are a few players who might soon declare for early NFL Draft entry.</p><p>But the centerpiece of the University of Alabama offense and two consecutive brilliant performances in BCS championship games, quarterback AJ McCarron, sees plenty to be excited about around him for 2013.</p><p>“Hopefully, we can get another one next year,” McCarron said. “It's going to be a lot of hard work, but our team is always up for a challenge. Our coaches are always up for a challenge. There's never any quit in this team, which I love.”</p><p>On the offensive line, McCarron is expected to be protected by only two returning starters — guard Anthony Steen and tackle Cyrus Kouandjio. Center Barrett Jones and guard Chance Warmack will enter the draft as seniors, and tackle D.J. Fluker is expected to do so as a junior and potential first-round draft choice. Tight end Michael Williams, an integral part of Alabama's running game as a blocker, graduates as well.</p><p>Junior running back Eddie Lacy also will have a difficult decision to make regarding the NFL. </p><p>Every scholarship player returns at the wide receiver position, however, including 1,000-yard freshman Amari Cooper.</p><p>He and running back T.J. Yeldon figure to be the primary weapons around McCarron.</p><p>“I am going to keep working. I am only a freshman,” Cooper said. “I am going to try to win three or four (national championships). This season was good, but I expected it to be even more. There is so much more that I can do.”</p><p>Defensively, the Crimson Tide loses seniors Jesse Williams, Quinton Dial, Damion Square and Nico Johnson from its front seven, with Robert Lester and Dee Milliner — if he leaves early for the NFL draft — exiting the program as well.</p><p>Alabama coach Nick Saban said his first efforts to prepare for the 2013 season will begin today.</p><p>“A couple of days from now, we have players that might go out for the draft,” he said. “We have to help them make good decisions about what their future is. </p><p>“We have other players that need to develop that will have different roles on our team next year.”</p>